NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 521, 18 February 1876, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Immigrants per Rangitikei.—We 'are informed that very few single women will be for engagement to-day, the majority of them having gone to friends. The San Francisco Mail.-—The English mail via San Francisco, is expected to leave Wellington this afternoon, and to arrive in Lyttelton early to-moirovv morning.

Amalgamated Society of Engineers. —This society held their second, annual dinner last evening, at the Clarendon Hotel. About sixty sat down to a a excellent spread, Mr John Anderson in the chair, the vicechairs being occupied by Messrs Donkin and BcltcbfE. After the usual toasts had been proposed and honored, Mr BeltclifE proposed that of the evening, “ The Amalgamated Society of Engineers,” which was 'responded to by Mr Jas. Fraser. The next toast was proposed by Mr Donkin, “ The unity of employers and employees," which was ably responded to by Mr Anderson. After an agreeable evening had been spent, in the course of which several songs were excellently sung, the meeting separated at an early hour. Missing Vessel —The Pall Mall Gazette of December 17th contains the following : “ Lloyd’s yesterday posted in the usfel preliminary form as missing, with all hands, the new iron clipper ship Gulzean Castle, Captain Macautey, which sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne on the 25th of May last. It is supposed the vessel is now lost, with, all hands, she being four months overdue at her destination. This vessel carried a large number of emigrants from Liverpool. The exact number is as yet unknown, but would not be less than 101 souls, and the vessel’s crew would number quite fifty men, she being 1818 tons register. She formed one of Mr Skinner’s Castle line of packet ships, and was classed 100 Al, at Lloyd’s. She was on her first voyage.”

Fatal Accident at Timaru. —The Herald states that an accident occurred on Wednesday, by which George Gordon, who has lately given up the occupation 9t boating to go carting, lost his life. He took the horse and cart that he was in the habit of driving, to his residence at the junctions of Barnard street and George street at about twelve o’clock, and pulled the bridle off the animal with the intention of giving itafeed. Immediately, however, the blinkers were off, the animal took fright at the cart and bolted. The man held on to the horse’s neck till Mr Gahites’ private residence, a distance of about fifty yards from where the animal bolted, was reached, and then was obliged to let go his hold. He, of course, fell, and a wheel of the cart went over his loins and jammed him against his fence. He was picked up and carried to his home, but he expired a few minutes after the accident.

Accident. —What might have proved a fatal accident took place last evening in Lyttelton harbour, about half-past five. The Rangitikei’s lifeboat, in charge ef the chief officer, with four men, in proceeding to the ship.under sail, with a stiff north-east breeze, suddenly capsized off Rhodes' Bay Point, all hands being thrown into the water. The occurrence was seen by the second officer of the ship, who was on the poop at the time, and he at once gave the alarm to the coxswain of the Government steam launch, Mr Thos, Snoswell, and jumped into lier along with her engineer. She was instantly headed for the spot where the were clinging to the boat’s keel, about half a mile off. The capsize was also seen by Mr Harris, of the Quarantine Station, Ripa Island, who immediately started to the rescue, and succeeded in picking up two of the men,%nd putting them on board the launch, and the rest soon got on board, with the assistance of those in her. The ship's boat was then close in to the xocks, but her painter *was secured, and bottom up she was towed to the ship and righted. Her crew were put on board the ship, fortunately not having sustained worse than a fright from their sudden bath. All concerned in the rescue are to be congratulated upon their success, and praised for the speedy means they adopted to avert a calamity. Lyttelton Yachting Club.— A general meeting of this club was held on Wednesday afternoon last, at Messrs Miles, Hassal and Go’s store, Lyttelton ; present, Messrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley (in the chair), Talbot, D’Authreau, Eyes, Boddington, Packard, Cameron, Young, Forbes, Rich, and Dorrington. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, Messrs Cameron and Eyes apologised for the absence of Messrs Maude and Cunningham. Messrs Coster, Cowlishaw, Cass, and Firmin, were elected members of the club. Mr Packard then made a statement witl*regard to the assets and liabilities of the club, from which it appeared that the assets were £BO 12s [2d, exclusive of the yacht and boat owned by the club, and that the liabilities were £134 12s 6d, including an amount of £lO5 7s lOd owed to Mr Cunnhfgham. Mr Oxmeron moved, and Mr Byes seconded, “ That the report be adopted.” (Carried.) Mr Boddington proposed, and Mr Cameron seconded, “That the yacht Fleetwiug and gear be valued at £fbo.” (Oalded.) Mr Boddington proposed, and Mr Packard second^ “ That the boat Venus he valued

(Carried.) Mr Boddington proposed, and Mr Cameron seconded, “ That a special circular be sent to all members whose subscription and entrance fees have not yet been paid, notifying them of the fact, and informing them that unless the same be not paid before the Ist March next, they will cease to be members.” Mr Young proposed, “That Messrs Forbes, Cameron, and the mover, be made a sub-committce to arrange for the sale of the spare sails of the Fleetwing.” Seconded by Mr Rich and carried. After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting adjourned. GORSE Fires —Yesterday afternoon, between three and four o’clock, the bell at Lichfield street station sounded an alarm of fire, followed by the Market place bell Preparations were at once made for turning out the whole of the plant of the brigade, but Mr .Superintendent Harris, finding that the cause of the alarm was gorse hedges on fire in Hereford street and Barbadoes street, stopped both the steamers from going out, the hand engine and hook and ladder company alone proceeding to the fires. The most serious one was on the grounds of Mr Wynn Williams in Barbadoes street, where a large quantity of loose gorse and other rubbish was on fire, and for a time burnt furiously. The other fire was in Hereford street, east of St John’s church. This a few willing hands quickly extinguished. The fire in Barbadoes street was, as there was no water supply, left to burn itself out, persons being left to watch to prevent its spreading. It is supposed that both the fires were caused by boys. CANOE Club. —A meeting of the Pilgrim Canoe Club was held at the Garrick Hotel last evening ; Mr J. F. McMullen (captain) in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Arthur Aldred was elected a member of the club ; Messrs Boddington, Macfarlaue, and J. Gould were elected members of the committee, as required by rule 10 of the club. It was proposed and carried unanimously, that the sum of two guineas be subscribed to each o f the committees of the Kaiapoi and Heathcote regattas. It was resolved that an afternoon’s canoe racing be held on the Saturday following the Heathcote regatta, at 3 p.m., for which the following programme was drawn out Ladies’ prize, open only to members of the Pilgrim Canoe Club ; course from Willows to Cowlishaw’s corner. Ass Sweepstakes, open to all comers ; course from Willows to Cowlishaw’s corner. The •Pilgrim’s Cup (handicap race) ; entrance 2s 6d ; course from Willows to Herdson’s boatshed. Canoe Steeplechase (5s sweepstakes) ; to start 100 yards above Bowion’s, leave w»ter opposite Harrison’s boatshed, carry canoe across paddock, re-enter water opposite Willows, and win at Stanmore bridge. The Licensing Act.— The following is the text of a petition praying for certain amendments in the existing Licensing Act, now in the course of circulation for signature, and intended to be presented at the next session of the General Assembly To Ihe Hon the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled—The humble petition of the undersigned male and female adult residents in the colony of New Zealand sheweth, —That your petitioners view with alarm the tendency in this colony towards the increase in number of houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors, thus furnishing opportunities for the young and improvident of our people to become addicted to the habitual use of such liquors. That your petitioners respectfully submit that more power of objecting to the issue of new licenses should be given to the people residing in the locality of the houses for which such new licenses are asked. That your petitioners further respectfully submit that the onus of showing the necessity for a licensed house in any locality should be made to lie on the person or persons applying for a license for such house, and that such license should not be granted unless a certain number of the householders resident in such locality express their wish that such license should be granted. That your petitioners view with regret the action taken by your honorable House during the session of 1875, in repealing so much of the Licensing Act, 1873, Amendment Act, 1874, as pro vided that licenses for houses not previously licensed should be granted only in the month of June of each year, inasmuch as such repeal has thrown great, and in some cases insuperable, obstacles in the way of persons desirous of showing honest proper objections to the granting of a license for any given house, compelling the attendance of objectors at the Licensing Courts four times a yeari-Detead of once, and making the expense four times as great. Y/mujetitioners therefore humbly pray your honontUH. House to take these matters into your serious consideration, and to grant to your petitioners such relief as your honorable House may in its wisdom see meet. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.”

Practical Engineering.— The Home News says “ A Colonial Section of the Crystal Palace Company School of Practical Engineering is to commence operations in January. The real value of this section may be best inferred from the fact that it is designed particularly for gentlemen who intend to proceed to the colonies or abroad, as explorers or settlers. The object proposed is to afford them so much practical knowledge of scientific and mechanical work and expedients as shall enable them best to utilise the means with which they may have to deal, especially when entirely dependent on their own resources. The course of instruction is most comprehensive, including surveying and levelling, drainage and rainfall, sounding and gauging rivers, testing flow of water through pipes," damming streams, making tanks, reservoirs, and filter beds, mechanical powers, moving heavy weights, mating water wheels and turbines, boring for water, tube and other wells, plans for raising water, pump making, windmills, ventilation, sanitary arrangements, rope making, knots bends, shifts and expedients of camp life. Growth of wood, modes of clearing, felling, grubbing, &c, barking, seasoning, hand sawing, saw mills and machinery, principles and construction of works in timber, calculation of strains, strength of material, rough carpentery, joining, fencing, cart wheel making, glazing, roofing and painting, charcoal burning pile driving, brick and tile making, getting and working stone, preparation of lime, mortars, cements, and concretes, preparing slates, excavating, shirting material, blasting, making gunpowder and guncotton, road-making, tent-making, temporary shelters. Mensuration, getting ent, quantities, mineralogy, geology, general &c, chemistry, mouldproduction of blast for

forges, horseshoe-making, treatment of steel and making tools, turning and fitting, rivetting and tank work, steam and the steamengine. We believe that the Crystal Palace schools occupy an important and even a national position. In the ladies’ division alone there were, last session, about 500 pupils, and these lady students included, it is interesting to note, some from Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales, besides some from other colonies. In effect we have here a true ladies’ university, admirably adapted to all the needs of the age, and one which bids fair to develop by-and-bye into a very great national institution. The course of instruction is most liberal, including languages, literature, science, cookery, and domestic economy, and music; and there are many special advantages and truly useful features about the whole plan which have already most deservedly rendered these schools essentially popular, no less in the United Kingdom than in Australia itself. Among the professors we note the following:—Sir Jules Benedict, Herr Ernst Pauer, Mr B. Prout, B.A. (music) ; Dr Heinemann, F.R.S. (German) ; Signor Rizzelli (singing), Miss Mary Hooper (cookery), and many others of eminence in art and science.” Bast Christchurch School Commitee.—The usual meeting of the school committee of the East Christchurch educational district was held last evening at seven o’clock, in the vestry of Trinity church. Present—Rev W. J. Habens (chairman), Messrs Thomson, Bray, Mitchell, J. C. Yeel, Kirk, and Jameson. Mrs Woodford was appointed assistant mistress at Bingsland school. Mr Loughrey, the head master at the central school, Gloucester street, reported that since the re-opening of the school 1073 children have been entered on the register, consisting of 575 boys and 498 girls. The, average attendance for the week ending Saturday, 12th February, was 818. It was determined that 10,000 copies of circulars, to be sent to the parents notifying the absence of their children from school, be printed. The resignations of Miss Ada Pyke, pupil teacher at Bingsland, and Samuel Highway, pupil teacher at Gloucester street, were accepted, Mr Loughrey wss authorised to employ William Parson as pupil teacher, and make such other tem porary appointments of pupil teachers as may be required. Letters were read from Misses O, Whyte and M. Kelly, who had passed successfully at the last examination of teachers, applying for [employment os under mistresses. These applications were ordered to be filed for favorable consideration. Messrs Bray, Thomson, and Mitchell were appointed a visiting committee for Gloucester street school, with power to make the necessary arrangements for a swimming bath, short of calling for tenders. After the transaction of some routine business, the committee adjourned.